News Flash

District Attorney - News

Posted on: August 28, 2018

Woman Sentenced to 17 Years Prison for Child Abuse Death

Bethany Joy Smith, DOB; 4-24-95, has been sentenced to prison for 17 years for the death of her three-month-old son, Skyler, in May, 2016. She will also have a mandatory five-year period of parole at the end of her sentence. Mrs. Smith pled guilty to Negligent Child Abuse Causing Death (F3) and First Degree Assault (F3) on June 29, 2018.

On May 20, 2016, first responders were called to the Smith’s home at 34 Lookout Mountain Circle where they found Skyler non-responsive. Despite life-saving measures at the scene and at the hospital, they were unable to revive the child. The child died from blunt force trauma, which was later determined to be abusive head trauma. He also had a fractured arm and a fractured rib.

“This is a tragedy for everyone involved,” said DA Pete Weir, “It is unconscionable for anyone to inflict such devastating injuries on an infant. When a mother kills her child, prison is only a small measure of justice.”